Combined self-propelling machine and portable track therefor.



G, B. TURNER. I

COMBINED SELF PROPELLI NG MAOHENBAND PORTABLE TRACK THEREFOR.APPLICATION FILED MAY 27, 1912.

1,Q69,Q45 Pat ented July 29, 1913.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

WITNESSES: V mum/won. Iv.

G. E. Turner;

A TTOR/VE Y G. B. TURNER.

COMBINED SELF PROPELLING MACHINE AND PORTABLE TRACK THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27, 1912. I 1,0 9,045, Patented July 29,1913.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

' INVENTOR.

GE. Turner;

A TTORIVE Y WITNESSES:

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEOR GE E. TURNER, OF FALLS CITY, NEBRASKA.

COMBINED SELF-PROPELLING MACHINE AND PORTABLE TRACK THEREFOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 29, 1913.

Application filed May 27, 1912. Serial No. 699,986.

Falls City, in the county of Richardson and State of Nebraska, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Self-PropellingMachines and Portable Tracks Therefor, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to combined traction engines and portable tracksfor same, or to self propelling excavating machines and tracks therefor;the object of the invention being to provide a safe and reliable passagefor such machines or engines over irregular, soft or slippery grounds.

The invention comprises in addition to the above named elements,mechanical or power-driven means for shifting the track forwardly aftereach progressive movement of the machine.

In order that the invention may be fully understood,'reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a track constructed and assembled inaccordance with my invention, having mounted thereon the wheeled frameof a tractor excavating machine, said machine being showndiagrammatically. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the track and machineframe, or truck, shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail in section on lineIIIIIIof' Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail in section on line IVIV of Fig. 1.Fig. 5'

is a detail in section on line VV of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 and 2 designate the track sections, eachof' which is shown as composed of a plurality of longitudinally-disposedwooden beams 3, tied together with cross-bolts 4. The forward end ofeach section is somewhat pointed, as shown, and is protected by a metalstrap 5.

As four is the usual number of carrying wheels on a traction engine,four track sections will ordinarily be employed, one for each wheel, asshown. The pointed end of one section is connected with the square endof the adjacent section, preferably, by means of two coupling-plates 6and vertical bolts 7 and 8 (Fig. 4). The single bolt 8 through thepointed end of section 2, consticurves or turns of different radii, aswill readily be understood without illustration.

The fra me 9 in the drawing represents the frame of a traction-engineorexcavator,

each comprises a cylinder 14, having a base 15 bolted between beams 13,a piston 16; a stem 17 and a pedestal or foot 18, secured 130.1116 steinby a pivot 19. I also provide for each jack, a wooden shoe 20, ofsuitable dimensions. These shoes may be kept either separate from theparts 18, or attached thereto.

21 and 22 designate motive fluid, inlet and exhaust-pipes, connectedwith each jack cylinder and controlled by valves 23.

A transverse shaft 24 is journaled in brackets 25 on frame 9. On saidshaft are a sprocket-wheel 26 and two drums 27, the latter beingarranged above the centers of the track sections. A slot 28 is cutlengthwise in each rear track section, to receive a cable 29, one end ofwhich is'tied to the bolt 4, the cable passing above the slot and beingfastened to its respective drum 27.

The operation is substantially as follows:

After the wheels 10 and 12', and frame 9 have moved leftwardly as far asthe track sections permit, they are stopped and the jacks are operatedto lift the machine bodily from the tracks. The shaft 24 is then rotated by suitable power (not shown) to cause the cables 29 to pull thetrack sections forward until their rear ends are close to the wheels 12.The valves 23 are then operated to relieve the jacks and lower themachine until the wheels 10 and 12 again rest upon the track sections;further upward motion of the pistons will lift the shoes 20 clear offthe ground if said shoes be attached to the plungers. The tractionengine or excavating machine then proceeds again until its wheelsapproach the forward ends of the track sections, when the aforesaidoperations may be repeated.

During the drawing forward of the rear track sections 2, they may beguided to right or left by shiftin the front ends of the forwardsections 1, t e latter thus guidin the former.

aving thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Pat- 1. In'combination with a track, a frame having tractionwheels mounted on said track, a pair of spaced beams at each'endof theframe the ',endsof which extend bey'ond the sides of the frame, acylinder at each end of each air of beams secured in the space between te latter, a piston in each cylinder, a stem de ending from each piston,an individual oot for each stem piv-' oted to the lower end of thelatter, and valve controlled motive fluid inlet and exhaustpipesconnected with the cylinders.

2; In combination with a track,-a frame having traction wheels mountedon said *track, a cylinder secured at each corner of the frame, a plston1n each cylinder, a stem copleslot this patent may be obtained dependingfrom each piston, an individual foot for each stem pivoted to the lowerend slot and being composed ofa plurality of longitudinally disposedabutting beams,

cross-bolts connecting the beams, one of said cross-bolts of eachsection extending above the bottom of the slot thereof, a cable for eachsection having. one end disposed in said slot thereof and secured to thelast named cross-bolt thereof, and winding means on the frame secured tothe opposite end of each cable.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature,

in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE E. TURNER.

WitIieIssia)s:W

HITA ,GEo. W. Srnafifis,

fo'r five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner-of Patents.

Washington, D. G.

